Shopping—San Marco Plaza

By staff | January 1, 2008

A seven-story clock tower conjures images of the campanile dominating Italy’s Saint Mark’s Square. Winding arcades and galleries recall the boutiques and artisan shops for which Venice is renowned. But this elegant shopping forum is at the corner of Town Center Parkway and Nature’s Way in Lakewood Ranch, a jewel... Read more »

A seven-story clock tower conjures images of the campanile dominating Italy’s Saint Mark’s Square. Winding arcades and galleries recall the boutiques and artisan shops for which Venice is renowned. But this elegant shopping forum is at the corner of Town Center Parkway and Nature’s Way in Lakewood Ranch, a jewel of a mall with fashion, home furnishings, international cuisine and more. Anchored by a new, gourmet iteration of downtown Sarasota’s beloved Golden Apple Dinner Theatre, San Marco Plaza is an oasis of charm, sophistication and style.

Silk Road Sushi The link between Venice and the Orient extends to the mélange of Japanese and Korean fare created by renowned head chef Ichiro in San Marco Plaza. Choose from more than 200 sakes, chef’s custom rolls and award-winning sushi. Matsuri Sushi, 8209 Nature’s Way, Suite 111, (941) 361-1171.

Coffee Culture Sip exotic blends from the far corners of the world in the bistro, or take home gourmet-flavored coffee by the pound. But don’t miss Santa’s White Christmas, a holiday blend laced with coconut, caramel and vanilla that’s so irresistible fans buy it year round ($12.99 a pound). Barnie’s Coffee & Tea Company, 8215 Nature’s Way, Suite 125, (941) 907-8114.

Take Flight With the ambiance of an Italian enoteca, this wine cellar specializes in small vintners, with 160 wines for purchase and wine flights (three reds and three whites for $15; $20 with food). On Friends Nights you buy a bottle and everyone shares. Toulouse’s Wine Cellar, 8215 Nature’s Way, SUITE #, (941) 373-3935.

Instant Recall Retha Barnes’ new boutique conjures images of Parisian flea markets replete with antiques and reproductions from the Continent and beyond. We love her flair for spiffing up old French chairs with new silk fabrics ($925). Short Stacks Antiques & Gifts, 8215 Nature’s Way, Suite 109, (941) 929-2959.

Blown Away American Dale Levy fell in love with Venice 37 years ago, and the artistry of hand-blown Murano glass beads like these convinced her to stay. From her jewelry studio off the Grand Canal, Levy still hand-strings these necklaces (from $199) in fashion hues. I Tesori, 8215 Nature’s Way, Suite 113, (941) 907-9296.

Order a gigantic Oreo pancake or the equally popular omelets, frittatas or waffles from Ridgewood, New Jersey’s hottest breakfast spot, Country Pancake House & Restaurant, 8205 Nature’s Way, Suite 114, (941) 361-1117.

Who’s in Store?

Michael Barrett has spent most of his adult life mentoring children, and that’s how the idea for his store, Kid Positive, was born. This 21st-century Renaissance man’s resume includes poetry writing, acting (with roles on Beverly Hills 90210, Forrest Gump and Diagnosis Murder), and positions with L.A.’s Spago restaurant and Sarasota’s Ritz-Carlton as food and beverage manager.

But Barrett always pursued his passion for helping kids, eventually heading the mentoring program for Big Brothers of Greater L.A. and the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership organization there. “We found we could positively reinforce the development of kids most dramatically if we reached out to them between zero and age eight,” Barrett says. “And that’s the concept of the store.”

With six-year-old son Mikey at his side as Kid Positive’s official tester, the single dad chooses only toys that are safe, non-toxic and ensure the best possible early childhood development.

Kid Positive, 2222 Gulf Gate Drive, Sarasota (941) 929-0440

Can’t Live Without: My son; he’s all about love. And what can’t Mikey live without? Puzzles. From floor puzzles [think the piano keyboard straight from the movie Big], to a U.S. map that talks ($19.99), he’s tested every one in the store.

If I Were a Kid I’d be playing with a pogo stick. But our most popular seller is a double-sided art easel by Melissa & Doug ($49.99) that lets two kids paint at the same time and adjusts to their heights as they grow.

Positive Influence Kid Positive is a kids’ store, not just a toy store. “It’s a place where architects and artists in the making can build and paint, athletes can show off their sports talents, and future scientists can dig up dinosaurs,” says Barrett.

Handbag Hierarchy Everyone knows the right bag carries a certain cachet, but Reason’s gives new meaning to the term “status bag” with a special new boutique that’s just been created to showcase limited edition collectibles. Only handcrafted handbags with very limited distribution (from both internationally known designers and small artisan houses) will be featured. You’ll find names like Miu Miu, Rodo, Carlos Falchi and cutting-edge designs like the genuine python “57th Street” handbag by Jane August ($3,295). Reason’s, 57 S. Boulevard of Presidents, (941) 388-1602.

Shop Talk

Mamma Mia You’ll proclaim the wonders of this imported Italian sweater, a $699 work of art hand-knitted of whisper-soft mohair and silk laced with ribbons, and signed simply “by Mama.” This is just one of the handcrafted fashions from artisans around the world at this new St. Armands store, one of a handful in the U.S. authorized to carry the stunning German couture line Oska. A & R Gallery Boutique, 19 N. Boulevard of Presidents, (941) 388-1923.

Are You Game? Grandparents are on the hunt for animal prints to please little angels in love with the music, movies and antics of Disney’s Cheetah Girls. Little Bo-Tique owner Joyce Condrack says that though the celebs are teens, their fans are as young as pre-schoolers. Everything spotted is an instant sellout, including this leopard coat with rosebuds and ribbons ($106) and chic cheetah shoes with black velvet ribbon ($36). Little Bo-Tique, 367-A St. Armands Circle, (941) 388-1737.

Oscar Worthy Renowned jeweler Oscar Heyman began designing in the 1800s, and three generations of his family created works of art like this 13.32-ct. yellow sapphire pin with nearly five carats of diamonds ($24,750). Armel Jewelers, 24 N. Boulevard of Presidents, St. Armands Circle (941) 388-3711.

Good Morning, Starshine This delicate star sunburst of seed pearls with a diamond center ($1,250) is perfect day or night. Designed in the 1920s to be worn as brooch or pendant. Shrode Jewelers, 1433 Main St., Sarasota (941) 365-4234.

Perfect Pedigree The blue of a six-point star sapphire (10 mm) contrasts a 10.02-mm natural gray pearl, adorned with 90 full-cut diamonds (four carats). Three more entreblant (moving) diamonds, each over a carat, make this 1920s brooch from the estate of Judge Gary (of Gary, Ind.) a spectacular find ($26,500). (He was also the founder of U.S. Steel with Andrew Carnegie). Crissy Galleries, 640 S. Washington Blvd., Sarasota (941) 957-1110.

Beetlemania Egyptian influences in this enamel and gold scarab pin ($15,120) were typical in the 1920s, when the Edwardian-style piece was created with 2.5 carats of diamonds and cabachon garnet eyes. J. Thayer Company, 640 S. Washington Blvd., Sarasota (941) 955-8820.